Pole cable terminal



Feb. 28, 1928. 1,660,815

l.. M. :Pensons POLE CABLE TERMINAL Filed Junavl. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 1 o 6 nw l s N O s R E P M. L

POLE CABLE TERMINAL Filed June 18. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [7N/@72 07? Lawrence 772. Parfm# Paented eb. 28, 1928. y

UNITED vSTATES 1,660,815 PATENT OFFICE.

LAWRENCE M. rEnsoNs, E CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNon 'ro Coox ELECTRIC Com- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

POLE CABLE TERMINAL.

Application-filed June 18, 1926. Serial No. 116,9.

My invention relates to cable .terminal boxes for electric cables adapted to be mounted on telephone poles and other supports,

. terminal connections are desirable.

carrying telephone line cables, to provide for ready connection to the drop wires leading to the subscribers instruments. l

In my copending application, Serial Number 35,033, I have disclosed an improved form of cable terminal, which is capable of being reversed to receive the cable at either end. Both ends are preferably 'made similar, and'fanning strips areprovided to allow the drop wires to extend from either end. Due to the reversibility of the cover at these ends and. the ability of the box itself to be .reversed in position, it became unnecessary to carry in stock two types of boxes, namely, one in which a. cable enters through the top wall and another in which it enters'through the bottom wall. In this prior structure, however, the fanning strips were a-rranged at the ends of the Contact mounting platey and only a single compartment was provided in the box. There are-times when side compartments for the drop wires and a central compartment completely closed off for the A closed central compartment will exclude the .dust and dirt which tends to bridge the terminal posts and'cause short circuits.

One of the objects of the present invention is to providea terminal box of improved cnstruction, having, as one of its features, an improved arrangement within the box whereby the fanning strips' and end frames, providing a closed central compartment and side compartments, cooperate y with each other to form a rigid frame adapted to be clamped in position atthe front of the con-` tact mounting plate to ystrengthen or rein- "f force the plate. I

It is a common experience to find this plate warping or splitting due to the mannerin which it is bolted in position. Plates made of wood readily split and warp, while plates. made of moulded insulating compound often v split. By providing a frame of this type in a terminal box, the dihcultyheretofore experienced is overcome, and, at the same time,

a stronger structure having a more desirable v arrangement may beobtained at considerably less cost.

It will be observed that the device is preferably' of pressedw metal insteadof the usual strips and end frames which are invariably required in devices ofthis type.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the. following detailed' description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings whichl form a part hereof. 'n

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan .view of an assembled structure embodying the features of my linvention, with the cover andthe upper end frame partly. broken away to show the interior construction a Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same, also with the cover partly broken away;

.Fig `3 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l; l Fig. 4 is asectional detail view illustrating the manner in which the side fanning .strips interlock at their adjoining ends with.

the end frames;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the ends of the end'` frame; and N i Fig. (3 isa similar view of a cooperating end of a fanning strip. 'f

As illustrated in the drawings, the cable terminalstructure comprises a housingy preferably made of vsheet metal, such as pressed steel, having forwardly extending sides 2 .and 3 and a rear wall 4. This rear wall 4 is preferably formed with a cavity portion 5. Cavity 5 slllocated intermediate the ends of the rear walland its walls are drawn with a slight taper away from the rear wall (as shown in Fig. l) in the direction of a mounting bracket 6." The housing may be positioned upon mounting bracket 6 in any of the many' well-known ways, which mounting bracket may then be lsuitably fastened to the usual telephone pole or other support.

In the formin operation of the housing, a recess .7 may e provided; A cable Smis adapted to enterthe interior of the housing at cavity 5 through this recess. vSolder 9 may then-be puddled in this recessto .form a tight connection between cable 8VV andthe housing., The cable may then extend along the mounting t and 'maybe hrinly gripped by a strap carricdby the 4mounting Vbrachet 6. 'lhe cable conductors enter cavity 5 and may be secured to contacts 11 extending to the rear tace ot a contact mounting plate 12 in any suitable manner, as by soldering `the cable Wires directly to the heads ot the harden upon .coog and which will serve to maintain these coections in their proper lll arrangements;

Mounting plate 12 may be suitably .tired in.

place against the rear vvall t over cavity 5. llt will be observed that the mounting plate .12 terminates on each; side a short distance trom end vvalls 2 and 3. Mounting bolts 37,

employed to hold the plate in position over the cavity, pass through the mounting plate s trom the rear vvall t to secure vertically-arl .so

A members in this way, a

ranged tanning stripsltl disposed along the sides ot the mounting plate 12, and also liorizontally'f-arranged end trames 32, which are adapted to interloclr` at their adjoining ends with the tanning strips. Holes and are provided in the tanning strips and end -tramos to receive bolts 37.

lilor the purpose ot strengthening these` tanning strips 30, it is preferable to form them angular in cross section and With, one leg abutting the trent tace ot mounting plate 12. t series ot openings are arranged 1 in the other leg ot the tanning strips to allovv distributing or drop vvires to extend trom the contacts 11 into vertical compartments 19 and 2d, provided between the side Walls 2 and 3 and the'sides ot the mounting plate and tanning strips. llt will be observed that compartments 19 and 20 are open at both ends to permit the drop vviresto entend out ot the terminal bon. By providing these compartments open at both ends,it is possible to mount the terminal box on either end, that is, provide it reversible so as to employ the bon both vvhere the cables entend in an upward and in a downward direction along the telephone poleo End trames 16 are also novelly tormedto strengthen them and are provided With a series of interlocln edges 39 for cooperating with similar e ges 38 on the tanning strips 15.. The manner in which these members interengage and lock together vvill be clearly seen in Eig.. t.' B 'interlocking the ame is provided which is positioned at the front face oil the mounting plate, being carried by'the bolts 37, which are in turn securedto the rear face. Depressione forming inwardly turned apertured bosses 40 are provided in the rear face to receive the heads ot bolted in conntersunlr 'relationvl Hence', the strain result' andere and the trout side Vofthe structm'eu Cover j 425 may bein the torni of a hood, also termed ot sheet metal and provided vvith a slot 2t at one side tor allowing the cover'to slip dovvn over the housing 'without interlering vvith the cavity portibn 5. llith the enception ot' this slot 26, the cover `terms an enclosure having .but one end open, and this end may be provided vvith a llare edge 2i tor the purpose ot facilitating the mounting ci the cover when rst slipped over the veruit ot' the housing and also tor diverting vvater and dirt away trom the open end.

By providing the side vvalls 2 and d on the housing, the rear ends ot the side entenlill sions t2 and t3 on thefcover may be bent A inwardly at ld to resiliently engage againsti the rear tace et the vvall t and apply sumcient `torce to hold the cover in position.; 'llhisV arrangement eliminates holding devices tor the cover and accordingly simpliiies the construction and reduces cost ot manufacture 'llhe side vva-lls 2 and' d not Lvonly reint'orces the portion ot' the rear vvall' t, which is engaged at dit by the cover, but also assures that side compartments 19 and 2t) are adequately protected against dirt,

dit

additional 4 rain andsleet by being properly. clpsed .at

their sides. ll'n practice, this construction is preferable to a device having side vvolls 2 and -3 omitted and relying on side entensions 42 and t3 to act as the side Walls ot side compartments 19 and 2t), due to the tight tit vvhch would thenl be required' and which is diilicult to obtain because of manul factoring inaccuracies. While the cover con R i struction disclosed hereln is ot particular utility, it will be remembered that other covers may be used vvithout adecting the utility ot the tanning strips 30 and end members 32 as a reinforcing trame at' they trout ot plate 12. Either feature may be employed separately, it so desired.

The" interengaging'edges 38 and 39 are provided'with a view. of rigidly interlockingtannmg stripst) and end frames 32 against movement in a'plane parallel to the plane oiiplate 12. Boltsl 37 serve asgmeans for preventing movement in a transverse plane. Ubviously the rigid frame resulting trom the interloclnng relation. of these members will be clampedin position to the rear Wall t by the bolts 37 and no strain will be laced onthe plate. Hence, the plate is rein orced, because theA rigid frame evenly presses against the plate about its entire edge-todi'erent parts of the terminal box may be rilade without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention,

I claim: v

1. A cable terminal comprising a rear wall, two side walls extending forwardly from said rear wall, a contact Amounting plate seated in spaced relation between said side walls, vertical tanning strips and end frame members cooperating at their adjoining ends to form a substantially rectangular frame about the edges of said contact mounting plate, and means for clamping said yframe against said contact mounting plate for securing the latter against said rear wall. 4

2. A cable terminal com rising a housing including a rear wall and orwardly extending side walls, a contact mounting plate` disposed in said housing in spaced relation'` vbetween said side walls, a cover for said housing forming a detachable front wall therefor, tanning strips disposed along the sides of said contact mounting plate, end frame members at the upper and lower ends of said fanning strips and cooperating with said fanning strips to provide compartments at the sides of said contact mounting plate, and means for clamping said tanning strips against said contact mounting plate.

3. A cable terminal comprising a housing having opposite side Walls and a removable cover forming a detachable front wall for said housing, a contact mounting plate disposed inispac'ed relation between said side walls, and means carried at the front of said contact mounting plate forming cooperating fanning strips and end frame members to' provide compartments at the sides of said contact mounting plate.

4. A cable terminal comprising a housing having opposite side walls, a contact mounting Plate disposed .between said side walls, and means carried. against the frontface of Jsaid contact mounting plate forming co-l operating fan'ning strips and end frame members to provide compartments at the sides 'of said contact lmounting plate.

5. A cable terminal comprising a. housing having opposite side walls, a contact mounting plate, vertical tanning strips, and hori-` zontal end frame memberscoperating with said fanning strips atutheir adyoining ends to form a frame, and means for clampiig said frame against said contact mounting plate whereby to secure said plate to said housing. v

6. A cable terminal ,comprising a housing including a rear wall, a Contact mounting plate'disposed in said housing, and a rigid frame provided with means to clamp the frame against said contact mounting plate whereby to secure the plate to said rear wall, said frame including tanning strips disposed along the sides ofnsaid plate.

7. A cable terminal comprising a housing including a rear wall, acontact mounting platedisposed inl said housing, and arigid trame provided with means to clamp the frame against said contact mounting plate whereby to secure the plate to said rear wall, said frame including tanning strips disposed along the sides of said plate, and end trame members cooperating with said fanning strips to provide side compartments having open ends.

8. A cable terminal comprising a housing including a rear wall and a contact mounting plate carried thereby, and a frame arranged at the front of said plate comprising tanning .strips for providing compartments at the sides of said' plate, and end frame members cooperating with said fanning strips to provide open ends for said compartments.

`9. A cable terminal comprising a housing, afcontact mounting plate disposed therein, and means :tor securinfr said plate in position against the plate to reinforce the same,`said frame providing a central compartment and two lateral. compartments disposed one at each side of said plate.

l0. A' cable terminal comprising a hous-\ ing, a contact mounting plate disposed therein, and means for securing said plate in position comprising a frame arranged to reinforce the plate, said frame including fanning strips which provide a central compartment and two lateral compartments.

11. A-cable terminal comprising a housing, a contact mounting plate disposed therein, and means for securing said plate in position comprising a frame arranged to clamp 'comprising ya frame adapted to be clamped against and thereby reinforce the plate, said frame-includingr .anning strips and cross members interlocking at their adjoining ends with said tanning strips.

12. A cable terminal comprising a housing, a terminal plate disposed therein, and

-means disposed at the front of said plate for reinforcing the same, said means comprising fanning strips disposed valong the plate and 'cross members cooperating tlierewlth adjacent their ends.

13. A reversible cable terminal comprising a housing having a rear wall and two opf posite side walls extending forwardly thereisoA trom, a eo'ver torming al detachable l'rontwall for said housing, a terminal plate eX- posed therein, tanning strips providing compartments at the sides ot said plate, and trame members cooperating with 'said plate to term end closures ior said housing, said tanning strips and said :trame members lying substantially at the iront ot said terminal lli ' g end edges ot said rear vvall, and :trame miem"u bers disposed substantially at each endedge and carried atv the iront oit said plate lor serving as end closures tor said housing,

l5. ll reversible cable terminal comprising a housing having a rear Wall and tvvo opposite side vvalls, a terminal plate and side llanning strips associated therewith to provide a central compartment and two lateral compartments arranged one 'on each' side ol Isaid plate and theadjacent side Wall, and iframe members at the ends ot said plate lor closing said central compartment but providing openings lor the ends ot said lateral compartments, said frame members being arranged at the liront oi said plate. 16. A cable terminal comprising a housing, a contact mounting plate disposed therel 'in, and trame members positioned on one side ot said plate tor rein'lorcing the plate, saidlramemembers being provided vvith inandere terengagin edges attheir adjoining ends to interlock t ie trame members against movement in a plane parallel to that or the plate and with means ytor holding the frame members againstmovement in a plane transverse members and the rear Wall.

18. A cable terminal eomprising'a support, a contact mounting plate on said support, and means tor `securing said plate to said support comprising a trame adapted to be -clamped against the platetorei-nforcr the same against splitting and warping., 19. A cable terminal comprising a support, a contact mounting plate on said support,

and trame members lor reinforcing said plate, said frame members interlocking with each other to prevent movement ofthe individual trame members in planes parallel and transverse to that oil the plate.

ln witness whereof, l have hereunto sub` scribed my name.

tal/vinnen n. Pensons,

met re we im t0 mwen-@Noa masons.

llt is hereby certiiied that arredi-appears inthe printed specificities offthe above numbered patent requiring correction as tollowjsfrlage 4, lines i w13-, I Y

,tllim lli, ,ier the word "exposed' readfWieposed; and 'that the said Let-ters latent sneu-flte reet with' thisfeorrection 'therein that the same may conform tei-n to theredlrd ot the ease inthe Pater-11i Signallnmlfled this lst l l CERTIFCATE OF GRRECHN.

Patent No. Ll.

@matted February 28, 1928, to

LAWRENCE M. PERSNS.

it is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction es follows: Page 4, Eines 2 and 3,

claim i3, for the woid "exposed" read "disposed"; and that the said Letters Patent should be vrenti with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the @tent Office.

Signed and sealed this ist day of May, A. D. 1928.

. M. .L Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

